Fort Slocum, District of Columbia — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Slocum (Manor Park, District of Columbia)

Manor Park · District of Columbia · Civil War

Quick BriefFort Slocum was one of seven temporary earthwork forts of the Civil War Defenses of Washington, D.C., built in the Northeast quadrant of the city after the beginning of the war by the Union Army to protect the city from the Confederate Army. The fort was built by the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry and named after Colonel John Slocum of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, killed in action on July 21, 1861, at the First Battle of Bull Run. When the Confederate States Army attacked Fort Stevens on July 11 and July 12, 1864, Fort Slocum fired its long-range guns.

Civil WarOpen to visitors

History & Significance

Fort Slocum was built as part of the Northern Defenses following the Battle of First Bull Run (Manassas) in September 1861, with the earthwork constructed by the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers in summer 1861. The fort was in part built on the land owned by John F. Callan, a clerk who lived there with his wife and their eight children.

After full expansion, the fort had a perimeter of 653 yards and mounted 25 artillery pieces, commanding the intersection of the left and right forks of Rock Creek Church Road near today's Kansas Avenue NW and Madison Street NW. The fort provided support for Fort Stevens 1,775 yards to the west and was heavily engaged during the Confederate Raid on Washington in July 1864.

An artillerist from the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery stationed at Fort Slocum probably fired the first shot against General Early's invading army on the morning of July 11, 1864. More than 1,500 employees of the Quartermaster Corps, commanded by Brigadier General Montgomery G. Meigs, manned rifle pits near the fort during the two-day battle, while Colonel Francis Price commanded a brigade of 2,800 convalescing soldiers.

When the war ended, the 4th Regiment, United States Colored Troops performed guard duty at Fort Slocum. Today, no visible evidence remains of Fort Slocum, as the fort and its surroundings were demolished during World War II when victory gardens were planted to support the war effort.

Key Facts

StateDistrict of Columbia

LocationManor Park

Established1861

Decommissioned1865

War / eraCivil War

Current statusState or National Park

Coordinates38.96019444, -77.01080556

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Civil War earthwork fortification site within Rock Creek Park
Forested trails and recreational areas where the fort once stood
Named after Col. John Slocum, killed at First Battle of Bull Run
Part of Washington D.C.'s 1861 defensive perimeter against Confederate attack
No original structures remain; site preserved as nature preserve

Best time to visitSpring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer pleasant temperatures for hiking the site's forested trails, avoiding summer heat and humidity.

Getting thereNearest airport is DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport), 12.2 km away in Washington, D.C.

From the nearest major airportRonald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)🚗 9 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 22 min drive

Fort Slocum (Manor Park, District of Columbia)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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